John Deere’s 410-horsepower 8R tractors will be available with an electric variable transmission (EVT), which uses electric instead of hydrostatic motors. Deere says in the future, EVTs will be able to provide external electricity to power implement components.

Electric variable transmission for John Deere 8R tractors

Newly designed transmission debuts in 8R 410 models for 2023

Anyone who takes even a casual look around the automotive, heavy truck and machinery industries these days will notice driveline technology seems to be changing significantly — and rapidly. Electrification and alternative power systems are increasing in all sectors. The internal combustion engine is still king, but other pretenders to the throne are rapidly emerging. […] Read more

(Luca Piccini Basile/iStock/Getty Images)

Farm equipment demand to remain high, FCC says

Low inventories, high commodity prices and a good crop place pressure on demand

Demand for farm equipment should remain high through 2023 despite higher interest rates and projected price increases, according to Farm Credit Canada. The federal ag lender has released an outlook on the farm equipment market that analyzed data and trends that affect the market. While the outlook attributes much of the current demand to relatively […] Read more


Five new, larger, seventh-generation 700 series Fendt tractors offer 203 to 303 peak engine horsepower.

New Fendt 700 series models

Seventh-generation models push the range to 303 horsepower

In late August, AGCO held an international press conference livestreamed from Germany, which focused on its Fendt brand. Attending that event (virtually) meant setting the alarm clock to be ready for its 3:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time start in Manitoba. Typical of press conferences held in Germany, it was loaded with a lot of detailed […] Read more

farmer repairing combine harvester

No clear-cut fix in right to repair debate

It sounds like everyone wants farmers to be able to repair machinery, but there appears to be a big gap in what’s available, affordable and accessible in a timely manner

The stories are out there. Farmers held up at a time of critical field operations because machinery needed, perhaps, a fairly simple reset of computer codes or minor repair, but it took hours for a dealership technician to get there to do it. Northern Alberta farmer Cole Siegle has told his story a few times. […] Read more


New premium cabs are now available on E series tractors.

Deere updates the 5E and 5M tractor series

New power and features lists for utility tractor lines

The utility tractor segment gets a lot of attention from manufacturers. In terms of numbers of tractors sold, the segment is one of the most popular in the industry. It’s because these machines, which generally land in the 50- to 100-plus-horsepower range, appeal to commercial farm operations, hobby farmers and acreage owners. In other words, […] Read more

claas axion 900 TT

Claas introduces the Axion 900 TT models

Two high-horsepower tractors get half-track configurations

In mid-June, Claas’s North American operation announced it was bringing the high-horsepower Axion 900 Terra Trac (TT) tractors to this continent. What sets them apart from their brothers in the 900 series is their half-track design. The company claims the half-track concept offers “marked advantages in comfort, efficiency and traction.” “Refined, efficient and bold are […] Read more


Monarch’s MK-V tractor. (MonarchTractor.com)

Foxconn to build autonomous electric tractors in Ohio

Tech firm to make units for U.S.-based Monarch

Reuters — Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, on Tuesday said it will build driverless electric tractors for California-based Monarch Tractor at its Lordstown, Ohio facility starting in early 2023. The announcement comes as heavy machinery manufacturers, including Deere and Agco, set their sights on the electric vehicle market as the U.S. agriculture […] Read more

John Deere’s 8R autonomous tractor is pictured at Jensen Test Farm at Bondurant, Iowa, just northeast of Des Moines, on April 28, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Bianca Flowers)

Deere tapping into Apple-like tech model to drive revenue

'Hopefully the costs will be paid back in the long run'

Bondurant, Iowa | Reuters — Deere and Co. has sold its tractors and other equipment to farmers for decades, but the world’s largest agriculture machinery manufacturer is tearing a page from the technology world’s playbook — combining cutting-edge hardware with software and subscription models to drive revenue growth. In a world with a dwindling number […] Read more


A view from the Earth Power dealership at Owen Sound, Ont. in 2016. (Earth Power Tractors and Equipment photo via Facebook)

Southern Ontario Kubota dealer chain sold

Robert's, Stewart's buy Earth Power dealerships

A chain of Kubota dealerships in southern Ontario is selling its three links to two separate new owners. Earth Power Tractors and Equipment, owned in partnership by Jim Kelly and Jeff Cook since 2005, said Thursday it has a deal in place to sell its sites at Owen Sound and nearby Meaford to Robert’s Farm […] Read more

The 7S tractors use a 6.6-litre AGCO Power diesel and top out at 210 horsepower.

Massey Ferguson completes updates to its tractor line — for now

New S series tractors mark a new generation for the brand’s offerings

Starting last August, AGCO began introducing farmers to its newest generation of Massey Ferguson tractors, kicking off the introductions with the 8S series. It followed that up a few days later with the smaller 5S, recently the 6S and, now, the 7S. In Grainews, we’ve reported on the previous new model lines as they’ve been […] Read more